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2013's Most Fascinating Food Events

From the Paula Deen saga to cronut pandemonium, we're taking a look back at some of the memorable food events we covered in 2013.
<p>Colorado took a page (or perhaps a leaf) out of Amsterdam's book with the opening of its first marijuana-friendly coffee shop. The Front Tea & Art Shop opened in Lafayette after Colorado citizens voted to legalize cannabis in November 2012.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/first-marijuana-coffee-shop-opens-colorado%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Dr. Patrick George/Flickr
From the Paula Deen saga to cronut pandemonium, we're taking a look back at some of the memorable food events we covered in 2013. What do you think was the biggest food headline of the year? For the latest food news coverage, read our blog, Food In the News.
1

First Legal Marijuana Coffee Shop Opened in CO

<p>Colorado took a page (or perhaps a leaf) out of Amsterdam's book with the opening of its first marijuana-friendly coffee shop. The Front Tea & Art Shop opened in Lafayette after Colorado citizens voted to legalize cannabis in November 2012.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/first-marijuana-coffee-shop-opens-colorado%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Dr. Patrick George/Flickr

Colorado took a page (or perhaps a leaf) out of Amsterdam's book with the opening of its first marijuana-friendly coffee shop. The Front Tea & Art Shop opened in Lafayette after Colorado citizens voted to legalize cannabis in November 2012.

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2

Waitress Went Nude for Last Day on the Job

<p>Here's an unusual way to make an exit on your last day on the job. A server at Roberta's, a trendy eatery in Brooklyn, New York, decided to step out sans clothing. Yep, the waitress served patrons Neapolitan pizza and beer basically in the buff, with a message in black marker written across her back that read, "Peace Out."</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/robertas-waitress-goes-nude-for-last-day-on-the-job%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
@vickyoyobma/Twitter

Here's an unusual way to make an exit on your last day on the job. A server at Roberta's, a trendy eatery in Brooklyn, New York, decided to step out sans clothing. Yep, the waitress served patrons Neapolitan pizza and beer basically in the buff, with a message in black marker written across her back that read, "Peace Out."

Read the Whole Story

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3

Tasting Menu Featured Dirt

<p>People typically try to avoid eating dirt. Sure, there's the "five second rule," and maybe that friend who had a particularly convincing triple-dog-dare back in elementary school, but after that dirt is pretty much considered inedible. Yet one restaurant in Japan — a fine-dining restaurant, in fact — charged patrons to do the unthinkable: eat dirt. </p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/restaurant-serves-dirt%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
eelke dekker/Flickr

People typically try to avoid eating dirt. Sure, there's the "five second rule," and maybe that friend who had a particularly convincing triple-dog-dare back in elementary school, but after that dirt is pretty much considered inedible. Yet one restaurant in Japan — a fine-dining restaurant, in fact — charged patrons to do the unthinkable: eat dirt.

Read the Whole Story

4

People With No Souls Robbed the Girl Scouts

<p>Who knew selling Girl Scout cookies was such a dangerous activity? In two separate incidents, Girl Scouts became victims when their cookie money was pilfered by money-hungry criminals.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/girl-scouts-robbed-selling-cookies%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
<p>Tarra Kopp, troop manager of cookie sales for a Girl Scout group in Toledo, Ohio, was accused of being the latest offender to get caught with a hand in the proverbial Girl Scout cookie jar. The 32-year-old allegedly stole more than $10,000 worth of cookie money.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/troop-manager-stole-girl-scout-cookie-money%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Brian Legate/ Flickr

Who knew selling Girl Scout cookies was such a dangerous activity? In January we reported on two separate incidents during which money-hungry criminals stole the Girl Scouts' money.

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In July, Tarra Kopp, troop manager of cookie sales for a Girl Scout group in Toledo, Ohio, was accused of getting caught with a hand in the proverbial Girl Scout cookie jar. The 32-year-old allegedly stole more than $10,000 worth of cookie money.

Read the Whole Story

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5

People Continued to Do Weird Things with Bacon

<p>Did you think that the bacon trend might finally wane in 2013? Think again. Taking a page from Taco Bell's book (remember Doritos Locos Tacos?), a restaurant in Philadelphia constructed a taco shell out of an unorthodox food: bacon. Bacon lovers also saw the creation of <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/bacon-deodorant%22%3Ebacon deodorant</a>, were tricked into thinking Scope was making <a href="/food/recalls-reviews/scope-bacon">bacon mouthwash</a>, and a couple even decided to get married at a <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/bacon-festival-wedding%22%3Ebacon festive</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/restaurant-selling-bacon-taco-shells%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
PYT/Facebook

Did you think that the bacon trend might finally wane in 2013? Think again. Taking a page from Taco Bell's book (remember Doritos Locos Tacos?), a restaurant in Philadelphia constructed a taco shell out of an unorthodox food: bacon. Bacon lovers also saw the creation of bacon deodorant, were tricked into thinking Scope was making bacon mouthwash, and a couple even decided to get married at a bacon festival.

Read the Whole Story

6

30 Rock Got Its Own Ice Cream

<p>The <i>30 Rock</i> crew will live on, and not just through reruns. They will also have a home in the frozen foods aisle, thanks to Ben & Jerry's.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/ben-jerrys-30-rock-ice-cream%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Ben & Jerry's

The 30 Rock crew will live on, and not just through reruns. They will also have a home in the frozen foods aisle thanks to Ben & Jerry's.

Read the Whole Story

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7

There Was a Horse Meat Scandal

<p>IKEA's Swedish meatballs are equally if not more famous than the well-priced, build-it-yourself furniture that the IKEA brand is known for. Unfortunately customers will be thinking twice before purchasing the post-shopping snack since the company was one of a string of <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/horse-meat-found-ikea-meatballs%22%3EEuropean stores</a> to find traces of horse meat in its beef and/or pork.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/horse-meat-found-ikea-meatballs%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Ruocaled/Flickr

IKEA's Swedish meatballs are equally if not more famous than the well-priced, build-it-yourself furniture that the IKEA brand is known for. Unfortunately customers will now think twice before purchasing the post-shopping snack since the company was one of a string of European stores to find traces of horse meat in its beef and/or pork.

Read the Whole Story

8

Milk Industry Petitioned FDA to Allow Aspartame

<p>Colorado took a page (or perhaps a leaf) out of Amsterdam's book with the opening of its first marijuana-friendly coffee shop. The Front Tea & Art Shop opened in Lafayette after Colorado citizens voted to legalize cannabis in November 2012.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/first-marijuana-coffee-shop-opens-colorado%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>

Milk has no added sugar, but the dairy industry asked the Food and Drug Administration to allow it to add artificial sweeteners in the hopes of creating a lower-calorie milk product that will attract more consumers.

Read the Whole Story

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9

Maker's Mark Almost Changed Its Alcohol Content, But Was Stopped by Fans

<p>After <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/makers-mark-reduces-alcohol-content-to-meet-high-demand%22%3Epublicly announcing a decision to change the alcohol content of Maker's Mark</a>, company execs changed their minds. They didn't change the 45% Alcohol by Volume to 42% largely because of an extremely negative social media response to the original announcement.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/makers-mark-wont-change-alcohol-content%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Maker's Mark

After publicly announcing a decision to alter the alcohol content of Maker's Mark, company execs changed their minds. They didn't change the 45% Alcohol by Volume to 42% largely because of an extremely negative social media response to the original announcement.

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10

Scientists Invented Healthy Chocolate

<p>What if you could buy chocolate that was just as tasty but had only half the fat of a normal piece? There may be an opportunity to do so in the near future because British scientists invented a unique method of infusing chocolate with fruit juice.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/scientists-invent-healthy-chocolate%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
John Loo/Flickr

What if you could buy chocolate that was just as tasty but had only half the fat of a normal piece? There may be an opportunity to do so in the near future because British scientists invented a unique method of infusing chocolate with fruit juice.

Read the Whole Story

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11

Man Quit Job with Resignation Cake

<p>A London man may have figured out the best possible way to quit a job. Instead of simply communicating his two weeks notice, Chris Holmes baked his boss a resignation cake.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/man-quits-job-using-cake%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>

A London man may have figured out the best possible way to quit a job. Instead of simply communicating his two weeks notice, Chris Holmes baked his boss a resignation cake.

Read the Whole Story

12

Thieves Stole 5.5 Tons of Nutella (And Other Weird Food Robberies)

<p>Thieves in Germany decided to go for a different kind of precious material this year. Instead of the real deal, robbers went for chocolate gold in the form of everyone's favorite gooey dessert spread: Nutella. Robbers also went after <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/thief-steals-cold-pressed-juice%22%3Ecold pressed juice</a> and <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/wine-theft%22%3Elots of wine</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/thieves-steal-5-tons-nutella%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
allison.hare/Flickr

Thieves in Germany decided to go for a different kind of precious material this year. Instead of the real deal, robbers went for chocolate gold in the form of everyone's favorite gooey dessert spread: Nutella. Robbers also went after cold pressed juice and lots of wine.

Read the Whole Story

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13

The Cronut Was Born

<p>This genius invention takes croissant dough and deep fries it into a buttery, flaky, doughnut-like creation. Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York created the innovative treat, and the public went completely bananas for them. There were <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/cronut-knockoffs-globe%22%3Eknockoffs%3C/a%3E, <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/line-sitting-service-selling-cronuts%22%3Ea black market hotline</a>, <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/cronut-burger%22%3Epeople making burgers with them</a>, and <a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/woman-buys-12-cronuts-14000-dollars%22%3Epaying way too much</a> for the hybrid treats.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/cronuts-croissant-donuts%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Courtesy of Dominique Ansel Bakery/Facebook

This genius invention takes croissant dough and deep fries it into a buttery, flaky, doughnut-like creation. Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York is credited with creating the innovative treat, and the public went completely bananas for them. There were knockoffs, a black market hotline, people making burgers with them, and people paying way too much for the hybrid treats.

Read the Whole Story

14

Chef Cooked Cicada Menu

<p>After a 17-year cycle, cicadas were back in action this summer, invading warm regions where the species called Brood II is typically found. One chef took advantage of the infestation and planned a cicada-inspired menu at his Connecticut restaurant.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/chef-cook-cicada-menu%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
sduck409/Flickr

After a 17-year cycle, cicadas were back in action during the summer of 2013, invading warm regions where the species called Brood II is typically found. One chef took advantage of the infestation and planned a cicada-inspired menu at his Connecticut restaurant.

Read the Whole Story

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15

Twinkies Made Their Glorious Return

<p>After an eight-month hiatus, Twinkies officially returned to shelves and Hostess Brands said the demand for the cakes hit a record high.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/twinkies-demand-high%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Christian Cable/Flickr

After an eight-month hiatus, Twinkies officially returned to shelves and Hostess Brands said the demand for the cakes hit a record high.

Read the Whole Story

16

The Test Tube Burger Was Finally Eaten

<p>We heard about the test-tube burger more than two years ago, and after word that the synthesized meat patty was almost complete back in May, the slider was finally ready for consumption.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/test-tube-burger-served%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Reuters/Francois Lenoir

We heard about the test-tube burger more than two years ago, and after word that the synthesized meat patty was almost complete back in May, the slider was finally ready for consumption.

Read the Whole Story

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17

A Restaurant Served an All-Water Tasting Menu

<p>If you thought there were only three water options at restaurants — tap, still, and sparkling — think again. LA restaurant Ray's & Stark Bar created a 25-page water menu consisting of 20 different kinds of bottled water ranging in price from $8 to $16.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/water-menu%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Ray's and Stark Bar

If you thought there were only three water options at restaurants — tap, still, and sparkling — think again. LA restaurant Ray's & Stark Bar created a 25-page water menu consisting of 20 different kinds of bottled water ranging in price from $8 to $16.

Read the Whole Story

18

Deep-Fried Cuban Roll Took the Gold at Texas State Fair

<p>Deep-fried foodstuff at the Texas State Fair can get pretty competitive. This year a deep-fried Cuban roll featuring ham, pork shoulder, cheese, and pickles won the top prize of "Best Taste."</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/deep-fried-cuban-roll-texas-state-fair%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
State Fair of Texas

Deep-fried foodstuff at the Texas State Fair can get pretty competitive. In 2013, a deep-fried Cuban roll featuring ham, pork shoulder, cheese, and pickles won the top prize of "Best Taste."

Read the Whole Story

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19

USDA Greenlighted Processing of American Chickens in China

<p>The USDA allowed four companies in China to begin processing chickens slaughtered in the U.S. The chickens in question are be raised and slaughtered in the U.S. and then sent to China for processing.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/usda-allows-china-process-american-chickens%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
wattpublishing/Flickr

The USDA allowed four companies in China to begin processing chickens slaughtered in the U.S. The chickens in question are raised and slaughtered in the U.S. and then sent to China for processing.

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20

Vegans Petitioned Pumpkin Spice Lattes

<p>Vegans took to Change.org to petition the use of condensed milk in the Pumpkin Spice latte mix.</p>

<p><a href="http://gogonow.org/food/recalls-reviews/vegans-petitioning-starbucks-pumpkin-spice-lattes%22%3E%3Cb%3ERead the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Starbucks

Vegans took to Change.org to petition the use of condensed milk in the Pumpkin Spice latte mix.

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